When the day finally arrived to bring Sofía home permanently, Daniel drove to Querétaro with a new child safety seat installed in his SUV. When Teresa brought Sofía into the lobby, the fourteen-month-old girl looked at Daniel, recognized his face, and reached her small arms out toward him.
Daniel held her close against his chest, cradling her gently as she rested her head against his shoulder. He strapped her carefully into her car seat, double-checking every buckle, and drove back toward San Miguel de los Pinos under a clear, golden afternoon sky. 
Their home life quickly established a joyful, fulfilling rhythm. Every morning, Daniel prepared fresh fruit purees and warm oat cereal for Sofía, laughing as she playfully smeared food on her tray before clapping her hands. They spent hours doing developmental exercises, working on her motor skills, and reading colorful picture books together.
Doña Carmen visited the house daily, her health and spirits visibly improving now that she had a meaningful role in her granddaughter’s life. Sitting on the sunny patio, watching Doña Carmen sing old lullabies to Sofía while the little girl giggled, Daniel knew he had made the right decision…
